Three Worcester teenagers shot in two separate incidents

WORCESTER — The shootings of three teenagers this morning, in two separate incidents, have prompted police to add officers in the areas where the gunfire took place.

Police were called to UMass Memorial Medical Center — Memorial Campus around 2:30 a.m. after a 15-year-old male arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound. The teen was shot in the left thigh, but the injury is not life threatening.

Although the victim and witnesses were uncooperative, investigators believe the shooting took place on Albert Street. Evidence of a shooting was recovered at that scene, police said.

The second shooting occurred just before 3 a.m. in the area of 111 Dorchester St., according to police. A 16-year-old male and 19-year-old male were found at the scene with a gunshot wounds to the legs. Police were notified about the shootings when the gunshot-detecting technology, ShotSpotter, sent out an alert.

Both victims were taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Police said evidence showed there might have been an exchange of gunfire between two groups on the street. There is no information about suspects.

"These two incidents of gun violence highlight the need for the department and the community to remain focused on the issue of violence, particularly gun violence," Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said. "What is most troubling about these two incidents is the age of the victims. In one case a 15-year-old was shot and in the other a 16-year-old was shot."

In response to the shootings, both areas have been designated "Tactical Response Areas" by police. More officers, patrols and other units will be placed into both neighborhoods.

Chief Gemme said the Dorchester Street area is already a community policing district. He said improvement has been made there, but the recent gun violence again highlights the need for community engagement.